The formidable spirit of Somalis continues to shine in diverse fields. Enter, the film industry where Somalis are not only behind the camera but in front of it. We’ve featured the accolades of those in the film industry such as Idil Ibrahim of Zeila Films. To this end, we encounter Shukri Iman, a talent so exuberant that the film industry hasn’t even scratched the surface of all her talents. Shukri’s acting accolades include The Killing (undertow season 1, episode 9) which follows the police investigation of the murder of a young girl, tying together three interlocking stories as investigators chase a variety of leads. Shukri just completed her part in Black Tar Road, a junkie love story. While not filming, Shukri enjoys the theatre where she was featured in The Breakfast Club. Shukri, a talented improvisationist studied at the Berverly Hills Playhouse. For more, visit her IMDB page here and learn more about our features of Somalis in Film here.  
Zoom

The formidable spirit of Somalis continues to shine in diverse fields. Enter, the film industry where Somalis are not only behind the camera but in front of it. We’ve featured the accolades of those in the film industry such as Idil Ibrahim of Zeila Films. To this end, we encounter Shukri Iman, a talent so exuberant that the film industry hasn’t even scratched the surface of all her talents. Shukri’s acting accolades include The Killing (undertow season 1, episode 9) which follows the police investigation of the murder of a young girl, tying together three interlocking stories as investigators chase a variety of leads. Shukri just completed her part in Black Tar Road, a junkie love story. While not filming, Shukri enjoys the theatre where she was featured in The Breakfast Club. Shukri, a talented improvisationist studied at the Berverly Hills Playhouse. For more, visit her IMDB page here and learn more about our features of Somalis in Film here.  

Nadifa Mohamed, the illustrious Somali author of Black Mamba Boy continues to push the boundaries with her new project which she collaborated with Shortfire Press and Ustwo design studio. Nadifa wrote a short story called ‘Summer In the City’ which has been transformed into a bass-pumping, saxophone-tooting cinematic wonderland which you can download on your mobile phone or tablet. In case you didn’t catch a feature of Nadifa’s great first novel, check it out here. While you’re at it, visit our Somali literature page here and learn of other amazing Somali authors. 

What does Mo Farah’s win at the London 2012 Games mean for Somalis, or in particular British Somalis? No one could describe this better that Somali author Nadifa Mohamed. You may remember we featured Nadifa last year as she published her first Novel, Black Mamba Boy. If you haven’t had a chance to read it, check out the feature here. But back to our main story today. Nadifa wrote an op-ed piece in the Guardian newspaper arguing that Mo Farah’s win symbolises the emergence of Britain’s Somali community. Whether you agree with her or not, we can all find solace at the fact that Mo Farah’s win comes at a time when everyone is speaking about the rebirth of Somalia. Nadifa attempts to capture this euphoria that also encapsulates the feelings of pride among British Somalis. Read her piece here and let he know how you feel on Twitter here. 
Zoom

What does Mo Farah’s win at the London 2012 Games mean for Somalis, or in particular British Somalis? No one could describe this better that Somali author Nadifa Mohamed. You may remember we featured Nadifa last year as she published her first Novel, Black Mamba Boy. If you haven’t had a chance to read it, check out the feature here. But back to our main story today. Nadifa wrote an op-ed piece in the Guardian newspaper arguing that Mo Farah’s win symbolises the emergence of Britain’s Somali community. Whether you agree with her or not, we can all find solace at the fact that Mo Farah’s win comes at a time when everyone is speaking about the rebirth of Somalia. Nadifa attempts to capture this euphoria that also encapsulates the feelings of pride among British Somalis. Read her piece here and let he know how you feel on Twitter here. 

We’ve all heard of a cover or a mash-up but Somali sister pop duo FAARROW attempted something unique of late - a quad-mash-up that is as distinctly brilliant as it is a mark of their trade of late. The young sisters mashed-up covers from four artists, namely: Katy Perry, Frank Ocean, Kanye West and Jay Z! It not only evokes the breadth of their talent but the anticipation that is building up for their album release! Follow FAARROW on twitter here and show them some love!. To learn more about these amazing sisters, check out our previous features on their work here. 

Last week, in a series of exclusive photographs and films in the Financial Times newspaper, Brigitte Lacombe and her sister Marian Lacombe explored the lives and celebrated the achievements of Arab sportswomen including Mariam Hussein of Somalia. Mariam is the captain of Team Somalia Womens Basketball which defeated Kuwait at the Pan Arab Games in Doha, Qatar in December 2011. Read more of her story and those of the other inspiring Arab female athletes here and check out highlights from their win over Qatar here. 
Zoom

Last week, in a series of exclusive photographs and films in the Financial Times newspaper, Brigitte Lacombe and her sister Marian Lacombe explored the lives and celebrated the achievements of Arab sportswomen including Mariam Hussein of Somalia. Mariam is the captain of Team Somalia Womens Basketball which defeated Kuwait at the Pan Arab Games in Doha, Qatar in December 2011. Read more of her story and those of the other inspiring Arab female athletes here and check out highlights from their win over Qatar here. 

You may have seen her on YouTube singing her heart out to ballads and covers but Laila Adam launched her new single “Love You Down” last week to critical success! Determined to outdo her critics, her single is raising eyebrows and has launched to much fan-fare. A Somali-American singer by way of Seattle, Washington, Laila continues to work hard at her passion for music. And as if this single wasn’t enough, check out her singing range with “want it”, a remix to Drake’s “Juice”. We are certain that this is just the beginning of great things to come! Visit iTune here and purchase her new single and share the love by following her here on twitter! Be Inspired! Be Positive! Be Somali!

A Baldwin Pioneer and a Duchess! This is how many of her friends describe her and perhaps her subjects who are the student body at Duke University. Meet Awa Nur, the young Somali-American President of Duke University’s student body. Awa majors in political science and minors in philosophy and economics. Her personal story is as compelling and inspiring as her efforts to pursue success in academia. Awa is the first female president  of Duke University’s student body in over a decade and only the second Black female president in the University student body’s history. When asked about a defining decision she has made, Awa responded, “Not long ago, I made a commitment to be proactive in pursuing all my life goals. I changed from waiting for inspiration to actively seeking it. The world offers so many opportunities that you can miss out on so much by waiting for them to come to you.”  She credits her mother as being her biggest supporter, giving her the strength to pursue her dreams. While Duke may be known for its basketball program, Awa’s efforts are making it an academic force to be reckoned with. Read more of her efforts here, watch her talk about the academic pride of Duke here and listen to her debate the merits of providing financial assistance to deserving student here. While you’re at it, visit Duke University here and consider applying. 
Zoom Info

A Baldwin Pioneer and a Duchess! This is how many of her friends describe her and perhaps her subjects who are the student body at Duke University. Meet Awa Nur, the young Somali-American President of Duke University’s student body. Awa majors in political science and minors in philosophy and economics. Her personal story is as compelling and inspiring as her efforts to pursue success in academia. Awa is the first female president  of Duke University’s student body in over a decade and only the second Black female president in the University student body’s history. When asked about a defining decision she has made, Awa responded, “Not long ago, I made a commitment to be proactive in pursuing all my life goals. I changed from waiting for inspiration to actively seeking it. The world offers so many opportunities that you can miss out on so much by waiting for them to come to you.”  She credits her mother as being her biggest supporter, giving her the strength to pursue her dreams. While Duke may be known for its basketball program, Awa’s efforts are making it an academic force to be reckoned with. Read more of her efforts here, watch her talk about the academic pride of Duke here and listen to her debate the merits of providing financial assistance to deserving student here. While you’re at it, visit Duke University here and consider applying. 

To those who say that Africa continues to suffer from brain drain, meet Fahima Osman a Somali surgeon from Canada and a model for DOVE. Like countless others, Fahima’s journey is a path through refugee to heroine. As the first Canadian-trained doctor in her community and currently a volunteer in Somaliland, she has become an inspiration to women and refugees everywhere with her determination and success. This past month, actress Mandy Moore introduced Fahima who was being honored for her efforts by DOVE, the beauty care company. Much of Fahima’s success is attributable to her determination in school where she worked her way through university and achieved a scholarship to attend the prestigious Johns Hopkins medical school. After graduating as a general surgeon, Fahima graduated moved on to the true goal of her childhood - not only to become a doctor, but to return to Somaliland where she feels the best way to give back is by training and empowering young people to help themselves and future generations. For her efforts in giving back and for being the first Canadian-trained doctor of the largest African community, we salute her and ask you to join us. Read more about Fahima here and let DOVE know of your support by visiting and commenting on their Facebook page here. 

While we wait for the crown of Miss Somalia in the near future and while Somali models take the runways by storm, we should take a moment and rejoice in the efforts of Khadija Adam Ismail. Khadija was crowned Miss Kenya in 1984 and was a semifinalist at the 1984 Miss World contest which earned her the title “Queen of Africa”. In a recent article, Nairobi newspaper Daily Nation caught up with her. The newspaper notes that 27 years after she was crowned Miss Kenya, Khadija remains an epitome of African beauty and is still attracting attention, albeit in another arena -business. Khadija’s face has graced magazines such as Cosmopolitan and Time in 1987 and 1989 respectively, a feat any model would yearn for today. Described as “too radical and opinionated” by judges at the Miss World pageant in 1984, Khadija’s spirit to go against the grain is still intact. For 10 years since 1986, she modelled across four continents and in all of the five major fashion capitals with a major advertising campaign for Yves Saint Laurent’s couture. You can read more of the excerpt here. Visit the the following blog for a look at Khadija’s many graces on Magazines and billboards. While you’re at it, take a look at video footage of the Miss World 1984 contest here.
Zoom

While we wait for the crown of Miss Somalia in the near future and while Somali models take the runways by storm, we should take a moment and rejoice in the efforts of Khadija Adam Ismail. Khadija was crowned Miss Kenya in 1984 and was a semifinalist at the 1984 Miss World contest which earned her the title “Queen of Africa”. In a recent article, Nairobi newspaper Daily Nation caught up with her. The newspaper notes that 27 years after she was crowned Miss Kenya, Khadija remains an epitome of African beauty and is still attracting attention, albeit in another arena -business. Khadija’s face has graced magazines such as Cosmopolitan and Time in 1987 and 1989 respectively, a feat any model would yearn for today. Described as “too radical and opinionated” by judges at the Miss World pageant in 1984, Khadija’s spirit to go against the grain is still intact. For 10 years since 1986, she modelled across four continents and in all of the five major fashion capitals with a major advertising campaign for Yves Saint Laurent’s couture. You can read more of the excerpt here. Visit the the following blog for a look at Khadija’s many graces on Magazines and billboards. While you’re at it, take a look at video footage of the Miss World 1984 contest here.

Here’s more music for you! Meet Sherissa, a Somali singer/songwriter from Stockholm, Sweden. Sherissa started to sing at a young age, picking music as a way to express herself. Without any professional lessons or a mentor, Sherissa developed a love of music with an astonishing vocal ability, often listening to and being inspired by the authenticity of other singer/songwriters such as James Morrison, India Arie, Tracy Chapman, Ray Charles, One Republic and Colbie Caillat. With a delicate yet strong voice and an innate ability for writing beautifully heartfelt songs, Sherissa is quickly establishing herself as one of the emerging young artists in Sweden. She writes about insightful, powerfully driven songs depicting her experiences of coming of age, going through the emotions of love, heartbreak and self-discovery. Her songs are timeless, often crossing genres and generations. She is hard at work in the studio writing and recording new material. In the meantime, visit her website here, listen to her music here and discover more about her! Be Inspired! Be Positive! Be Somali!
Zoom

Here’s more music for you! Meet Sherissa, a Somali singer/songwriter from Stockholm, Sweden. Sherissa started to sing at a young age, picking music as a way to express herself. Without any professional lessons or a mentor, Sherissa developed a love of music with an astonishing vocal ability, often listening to and being inspired by the authenticity of other singer/songwriters such as James Morrison, India Arie, Tracy Chapman, Ray Charles, One Republic and Colbie Caillat. With a delicate yet strong voice and an innate ability for writing beautifully heartfelt songs, Sherissa is quickly establishing herself as one of the emerging young artists in Sweden. She writes about insightful, powerfully driven songs depicting her experiences of coming of age, going through the emotions of love, heartbreak and self-discovery. Her songs are timeless, often crossing genres and generations. She is hard at work in the studio writing and recording new material. In the meantime, visit her website here, listen to her music here and discover more about her! Be Inspired! Be Positive! Be Somali!